And John, even if he is a talented swordsman, doesn’t last long against Perrin. Perrin brought down a Myrddraal and several Aiel in single combat. The only true opponent John faced was Qhorin halfhand and he wasn’t truly fighting him either. Maybe Snow becomes an expert swordsman later, but at this point of time in the GRMM story it isn’t true.

Argue all you want about the limits of time and training, but it does not matter: regardless of how he came by his skills, be it ta’veren effects skyrocketing his skill absorption, or highly evolved fighting instincts from the wolves boosting his internalization, or more probably both, the simple fact is that Perrin is clearly depicted as having the required skill. Further, the books are quite clear on the fact that he is terrifically agile–a point which was demonstrated early in book 3 when he gave into his animal side and single-handedly slaughtered a myrddraal during the attack on the camp. Gradually gaining control over that aspect of himself is part of what makes him so imposing in the present.

In closing,
Inordinate advantage: Ghost
Counter: possible wolf pack in the vicinity
Mano a mano: Perrin

The real deciding factor is whether or not Ghost is unencumbered by a wolf pack and is free to take part. Ghost could probably take down a fade all by himself.

I thought the same as you, “who the heck kills off their main characters?”, but about a week ago I read a very intelligent review that says folks like Eddard, Robb, and Joffre aren’t really main characters in the long run, they are just the person that the story centers on in the long run. In terms of the overall story, they are bit players who happen to have interesting things happen to them.

Yeah, Tony, ain’t -that- the truth! First time I read Game of Thrones, I threw it against a wall and refused to finish it when Eddard Stark bought it. Another dent in my wall came from the “red wedding”, if you catch what I’m referring to. (The head-switch was a little TOO much, IMO)

Of course, when Moiraine went through the ter’angreal with Lanfear….then what, two books later we see “Cyndane” pop up? Everyone knew she was Lanfear, yet Moiraine stays missing until…well, RAFO. ^^ Anyhoo, this fight went exactly as I would have envisioned it. Perrin, even though he has an unhealthy codependant thing going with Faile, is a pretty smart guy and great general. Jon Snow is, far and away, number 1 in my top three faves from ASoIaF. Two is Dany, three is (well, was….another dent in the wall, I might add) her husband. Martin doesn’t mind one little bit killing hell out of his characters, does he? I thought authors grew attached to their creations….geez, all of a sudden I’m -really- glad he ain’t attached to me!

I agree with you to an extent, but this is also a great weakness for Jon. If the person that Jon is fighting manages to kill (or merely incapacitate Ghost), Jon’s power drops immensely.

I totally agree that any of them would defeat Jon alone, but Jon’s real strength is his wolf. Jon and Ghost together make one of the deadliest foes in Westeros.

Perrin on the other had is a very good fighter (not Lan, Rand or Mat but just a step below) who has fought people like Jon before, and come out on top. Remember that his Wolf Brother senses are also there so he reacts faster than a regular guy would and can smell the fear, anger or calm on Jon while they fought. He would know what his state of mind is which would lead him to his game plan.

Remember, what makes Perrin so good (besides the Wheel shaping the world around him) is that he thinks his fights through and comes up with good game plans.

Ghost may not fight for him, but he would know what he was thinking, or were his emotions were.

Jon puts up a good fight, but in the end Perrin is just too good, too big, too fast and too powerfull for him.

The only people Jon has really fought with a sword are Robb in training, his brothers of the Night’s Watch in training, who weren’t traind themselves, and the Halfhand, so even if Jon is incredibly lethal, where is your proof?